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Believe it or not, people who live a healthy lifestyle and go out for their morning jogs do not have to worry about backaches and feeling tired all the time.

Living a healthy lifestyle may be a challenge at first, especially if you are not a fan of vegetables and despise getting up in the morning for an early jog, but a healthy lifestyle offers countess benefits that make you feel great at the end of the day. It is time you ditch those alcoholic beverages and pay attention to your workout routines. Here are a few top benefits of a healthy lifestyle:

Live Healthier and Longer

While death is inevitable, eating healthy foods and getting sufficient exercise helps your body to become more adept in disease prevention. Getting rid of junk food from your diet will reduce the risk of high cholesterol and blood pressure, which automatically prevents heart diseases and strokes. When you eat healthy, your body has ample energy for you to do all your daily tasks. However, eating too much junk food causes one to become lazy and sluggish. This further leads to obesity, which has become a dangerous health risk.

Get Rid of Physical Pains

Believe it or not, people who live a healthy lifestyle and go out for their morning jogs do not have to worry about backaches and feeling tired all the time. One of the perks of exercising regularly is once your body gets used to regular physical activity, it is less likely to feel physical pain. This is why when you first start to exercise, your muscles hurt a lot but as you continue to exercise for a couple of days, your body starts adjusting to the new changes and you no longer experience pain.

Increased Energy

Contrary to what people believe, a healthy lifestyle does not mean you start counting calories. It just means you start eating smart. You may reduce your portion sizes but the whole point about living a healthy lifestyle is to eat what’s good for your body. By including fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals in your diet, your body is able to generate more energy. Eating healthy boosts your energy levels and reduces fatigue. So, if you are tired of feeling drowsy at work all day no matter how much sleep you get, it is time you make a change in your lifestyle and start eating better.

Reduces Stress and Improves Mental Health

Believe it or not, eating healthy foods and getting enough exercise helps your body fight depression, and also sharpens your memory and reduces stress levels. Eating healthy foods also help to stabilize your mood, making you feel calm and chirpy instead of irritated and exhausted. Just by making a few changes in your diet and by getting a little exercise, you will experience a huge change in your life. So, opt for healthy fruits and vegetables the next time you are craving a snack. Avoid alcoholic beverages and try to stop smoking and you will see a visible change in your mood and your outlook on life.

These are some of the benefits you can enjoy by adopting a healthy lifestyle.

At the end of the day, it is for you to realize that work is crucial to support yourself and your kids but if you start putting it before your personal life, things can get difficult to manage.

If you are a single mom, you must be really busy in handling your work and personal life. Life as a single mom is extremely difficult. You probably have a lot on your plate, your work life, your kids, finances and maybe even your career. It is important you manage your time so you get enough quality time with your kids and also some for yourself. Do not be overwhelmed by all your responsibilities. There are ways in which you can fit in all your responsibilities and still have some leisure time. Learn that while it is important for you to meet all your deadlines, it is also important for you to spend time with your children. Here’s how you can find the right balance between your work and personal life:

Prioritize Your Tasks

It is best to plan ahead and prioritize all your tasks. It is best you break down all your important tasks into little chunks. Categorize your tasks by most important, important and so on. This way, even if you are unable to complete the tasks which are lower down on your list, you will have completed the most essential ones at least. To get yourself even more organized, make a to-do list and plan your days ahead. Once you have set up a personal planner, you can save yourself a lot more time.

Reduce Time in the Kitchen

To save more time and money, create a family meal plan. Buy all your staples in bulk so you do not have to make frequent trips to the grocery store. If you are worried about things getting spoiled, purchase canned or frozen vegetables that will last a whole lot longer in your kitchen. Prepare foods in bulk so you save cooking time for the next day. Make sure your house is stocked with snacks or at least slices of bread so you and your kids can at least make a nice sandwich when you are in a hurry. Encourage your children not to be wasteful and set a good example for them so they do not become picky eaters.

Learn To Say No

Life is not easy as a single mom but that does not stop some people from taking advantage of your kindness. Realize that as a single parent, you already have double the share of responsibilities and have enough on your plate. So, the next time somebody has the nerve to ask you to run an errand for them or watch their children or volunteering at school, do not be pressurized into saying ‘yes’ all the time. If you have free time, spend it watching a movie with your kids or reading to them. Your kids will grow up one day without you even realizing it so make most of all the free time you have.

At the end of the day, it is for you to realize that work is crucial to support yourself and your kids but if you start putting it before your personal life, things can get difficult to manage.

Everyone should have a morning routine for success that they follow. When you have a morning routine you will find that you can dedicate more of your time to your passion projects and the things you know you should be doing. You’ll find that you are able to work more efficiently towards your goals because day in and day out, you will be following a routine that allows you to get closer. Not having a morning routine can affect your day by causing you to have a slow start. When you implement a morning routine for success you’ll start to see your productivity skyrocket and you’ll feel better for the rest of the day. Here is how I start my day.

I truly believe in the phrase“the early bird gets the worm”. I wake up at 5 AM most days (at least I try to) because I feel I get the most work done in the morning. Upon waking at 5 AM, I get up and proceed to grab two glasses of water from the kitchen. I microwave it for two minutes and then chug one of the glasses down. After a night full of not drinking water, it is important you hydrate yourself. However, for me, I don’t like the shock of cold water going down my throat in the early hours of the morning. Thus, I drink warm water and if I have a lemon, I add it to get the necessary nutrients. I also grab a small snack, like a banana or greek yogurt to consume.

After drinking the glasses of water, I then sit down in my bedroom and sit still for five minutes. This is my moment of peace and meditation before I start my day. I think about nothing. Not even my goals for the day. This relaxes my mind and eases me into what I usually suspect is a chaotic day. When the five minutes is up, I go into my bathroom and wash my face and do my morning ritual of cleaning up after myself.

When I have freshened up, I go to my writing desk (yes I have one) and depending on the day of the week, I work on my passion project for a good hour. For me, this is a combination of the Self Starter blog, my E-Book, video and podcasting projects or even my web development. The idea is that the early morning or the first task of the day should be dedicated to something that will further yourself in the future. Don’t work on tasks that you can do in the office. Work on stuff that you feel the most passionate about.

Once the hour is up, I take the time to prepare myself for the gym. Exercise is a fundamental because it provides me with the energy to last throughout the day. I will usually do weight training on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays and cardio the rest of the week. Changing it up provides me with the urge to go and improve myself. Upon the completion of my exercise, I come home and eat a hearty and healthy breakfast.

Usually by the time I finish breakfast, I have enough time in my schedule to read for about 15-30 minutes. Some days I struggle to get through the pages while other days I am captivated and mesmerized by what I read. I tend to lean towards self-development books. Not only do these help me with my self-coaching knowledge, but I find myself much more ready to tackle the day. Once the reading session is over, my work day begin and I drive to my day job, fresh and relaxed.

There you have it. My morning routine for success. It may seem like a lot but once you get used to it, you’ll find that your routine will be second nature, like brushing your teeth. I’ve been doing this routine for many months now and have seen that I inch closer to my goals slowly but surely. It’ll take some dedication to stick to a routine. I suggest you write down each step in the routine and by the time you have it memorized, you’ll find that you’ll be doing it consistently enough to keep on going. I hope this helps give you some ideas as to how YOU can improve your life as well!

I’m a huge fan of habits that anyone can integrate into their life. It can do wonders when you stick to your habits because it results in energy and higher level of productivity. Here are habits you should embrace and implement into your schedule.

1. Wake Up At 5 AM – The early bird truly does get the worm. Waking up as early as 5 AM provides you with ample amount of time to focus on yourself and allow you to get your To Do List checked off. People have the tendency to wake up late and rush out of their house. Having an earlier wake up time can help you pursue your passion projects and feeling accomplished.

2. Meditate – Use the time in the morning to calm your mind. We have so much to focus on throughout the day that it becomes necessary empty our minds in order to feel refreshed. There is clogging in your head and it can make you feel useless early in the morning if you forget to meditate.

3. Drink 2 Cups of Water – Upon waking up, it is important to hydrate yourself. Drinking water will make you feel like a brand new person in the morning. It alleviates any grogginess you may feel after waking up and gets your body in balance after a night’s sleep. People usually forget to hydrate themselves and as a consequence, they feel awful as the day persists.

4. Focus – Be mindful and take time to focus. It is essential to avoid multitasking. Not only will you lose valuable time but it can result in procrastination. When you lose focus, you end up doing more meaningless work that adds little value to your life. By maintaining awareness and a focus on getting your most important task completed, your To Do list will shorten.

5. Eat Lunch Away From Your Electronics – Too often we eat lunch at our desk and in front of the computer. We feel like we are not allowed to have time off and, as a result, we force ourselves to become robots and eat and work at the same time. This is counterproductive because not only will you tire more quickly, but you will be bombarding your mind with work. Your brain needs time to decompress and lunch time is the perfect opportunity to get away from your electronics and responsibilities.

6. Floss – We understand the significance of brushing our teeth, but we tend to forget to floss. By flossing, you prevent the development of gum disease and additional ailments. Your mouth will be cleaner after you floss and is able to assist you in getting the tough spots that brushing misses.

7. Plan Out The Next Day – Being prepared is a huge part of being productive. Take the time in the evening to plan for the following day. We often wing life and not having a schedule can have a huge effect on your lifestyle. Knowing what you have to do before the day starts is a huge time saver. You don’t have to fret about things at the back of your mind because it’s all listed out.

8. Go to Bed Early – In connection to waking up early, you must be prepared to go to bed early. You need to make sure that you get at least six hours of sleep because having less can deprive you of the time to rejuvenate your brain. To wake up at 5 AM, a bedtime of 10 PM is usually ideal. Use the time before going to bed to read and calm yourself down after a long day.

I love reading about the productivity habits of others. Knowing what their habits are and what they do to motivate themselves in turn motivates me. It provides me with new habits to instill in my life and strengthen my personal development. Having a routine will streamline your life and make you more well-rounded.

1. Wake Up at 5:00 AM – Yes. This first routine is brutal and I struggle with it. If you are not a morning person, then this can be difficult but the reward is massive. Successful entrepreneurs wake up early in the morning to give them enough time to focus before starting their day. Time is valuable and the more you have, the more opportunities you have to concentrate on your career and advance in it. The morning is often when productivity is at its peak, since your mind is clearest. As a result, it is crucial to do your most important task at the start of the day so you will feel more accomplished throughout it.

2. Meditate for 5 minutes – Upon waking up, get out of bed and sit on the floor and be still. Notice your breath and focus. Don’t think about your obligations for the day. Clear your mind and focus on being present. Practice this throughout the day. Meditation is fundamental in establishing a mindfulness routine. It will help you become more grounded and improve every aspect of your life.

3. Move Around! – Exercise. Staying active is a significant factor in maintaining your health. By exercising in the morning, you start the day feeling refreshed. It’ll get your blood flowing and make you conscious and prepared for your to-dos. You’ll feel more positive, optimistic and brighter for the upcoming day.

4. Do a puzzle – We think about working our physical traits but it’s equally as important to work our mental attributes. Do a crossword puzzle, sudoku, or any kind of mental game. Treat your brain like a muscle and train it. Your mind becomes clearer the more you train. You’ll start to think more creatively and out of the box.

5. Read for 30 minutes – Reading will improve your vocabulary, grammar and overall knowledge of language. Your reading comprehension along with your writing will benefit and these are skills crucial to the work environment. I suggest reading a variety of books. Make a goal to read 30 minutes a day. The reading will start to add up and you’ll become more knowledgeable.

6. Send an email to a friend – As we become older, our group of friends will shift around. It is easy to lose good friends we made during our time in school, job, or social encounters. If you value your friendship then I suggest you send an email to a friend weekly. Catch up and see where they are in life and make them feel like you are there for them. Too often we give up on valuable friendships we’ve made and I find it heartbreaking. Appreciate the time you’ve spent together by sending an email and show you still care.

7. Listen to 15 Minutes of an Inspirational Podcast – When we go after our dreams, we can run into situations where we feel stuck. It becomes hard to get off the couch and do the things you are supposed to do. I’m guilty of this and seek ways of motivating myself. This led me to listening to podcasts and it has been an incredible resource.Listening to others describe the same faultswe all fall victim to is reassuring. They reaffirm your belief that it is not easy to succeed and that it takes a lot of work and dedication to get moving. Go on iTunes, search for “motivation” and listen to one! I assure you it will boost your productivity.

8. Smile – Yes, smiling should be routine if you want to live happier. When you wake up, make a conscious effort to smile. It makes everyone feel good upon seeing one.Start your day right and appreciate the life you have been given. Smiling lowers stress and makes you approachable. It provides people with the hope of a bright day and makes you appear confident and fun to be around. People appreciate those who smile and are uplifting. Be the spirit that everyone needs.

9. Call A Family Member – Our strongest bonds are sometimes with our family. As we move away and start a family of our own, we want to make sure we maintainthat bond with our family. Whether it is our parents, siblings, or cousins, make an effort to call a family member at least once a week. Family will always be there to welcome you home. Don’t let these relationships fall to the waistside because you are too busy. It will hurt you when you realize you have no one to turn to because you gave up on the family.

10. Do One Act of Kindness – Finally, take time to do an act of kindness. It can be as simple as writing a thank you note to a boss or a friend. Buy food for the homeless or donate money to a cause. The idea is to give back to the community. I feel that karma has a way of working in your favor if you give back. Feel proud about the good you do and let that happiness boost your morale and your day.

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Who is Self-Starter Anh?

My name is Anh Phan and I am a self-starter and life coach. I provide the tools you need to get things done. Join my community which encourages members to support each other in a positive manner. I can help you foster happiness in your life. I am revolutionizing what it means to be productive and content with what we already have. Let me help you become a self-starter! Read more here